Treehouse Villas

[jezebella]

Does anyone know what they are going to do with those?

 

[Chess]

I'm not sure what they are going to do with them but they can not change them in any way if they want o continue using them as villas as they are now considered to be on wetlands or something of that sort. They were grandfathered in so they can still be used as villas but if they are torn down nothing can be rebuilt in their place. This came from one of the captains for the POR to DTD in either 2001 or 2004.

 

[peter11435]

This came from one of the captains for the POR to DTD in either 2001 or 2004.

And we all know that frontline CM are the authority on Disney information. In case you didn't already know CM are not good sources of information. They are not told anything that the general public isn't told at the same time. Most things such as this are intercast member rumors that spread like wildfire.

 

[DoxaRich]

Aw come on peter, give the CM's a break. If it weren't for them we wouldn't need this board. And if we didn't have this board, we'd all have to actually do our job while we're at work.

 

[peter11435]

Aw come on peter, give the CM's a break. If it weren't for them we wouldn't need this board. And if we didn't have this board, we'd all have to actually do our job while we're at work.

Oh, well CM are great at doing there jobs. There just also good at giving out tons of misinformation.

 

[Chess]

peter11435,
Here's an article that was posted on the DVC board. It states basically what I was told. I bolded the parts about the wetlands. I'd do a link but I'm not that computer literate. The title of the thread is Treehouse Villas part of Saratoga Springs?...Maybe!

Courtesy of Jim Hill Media and Scott Liljenquist. Not exactly rock-solid information, but certainly an informed opinion on the future of the Treehouses.



Article:


Quote:
Next up, William writes in to ask:

Do you know why the Tree House Villas at Walt Disney World have never reopened? They were "temporarily" closed after 9/11 and they have never reopened. When taking the boat launch from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney, the Tree House Villas are still visible. The only problem is they still have trees and tree branches on top of them from the hurricanes of last year. It looks like nothing has been done to repair them or even clean up the downed trees. I would really like to know why this resort remains abandoned and neglected.

You know, I'm not actually sure about this one, William. So why don't we turn to JHM resident WDW hotel expert -- Scott Liljenquist of Mouseketrips.com -- and see what he has to say about what's going with the Treehouse Villas at Disney World? Scott?

That's an interesting question, William, and one that we get asked quite often. Apparently there is still plenty of interest in the Treehouse Villas if the number of inquiries we get is any indication.

First a little history for those who might not be familiar with the Treehouse Villas. Disney announced plans in 1973 for a permanent residential area to be constructed on Walt Disney World property. To be called Lake Buena Vista, it was to have included townhomes, single family homes, apartments, condos, a shopping area, and recreation facilities. The 60 Treehouse Villas were built in 1975 as a part of this project, which was renamed the Village Resort in 1985 when the original residential concept was abandoned.

The Treehouse Villas are two-story, octagonal-shaped structures that feature 3 bedrooms, a living room area, full kitchen, dining area, and two bathrooms. Located right on the bank of the Sassagoula River, each Treehouse Villa is a free-standing structure and is surrounded by trees and wooded areas. The second floor is cantilevered and makes for a very interesting architectural design.

The entire Village Resort and along with the Treehouse Villas were absorbed in 1996 into the Villas at the Disney Institute, Michael Eisner's "Education on Vacation" concept. You can see the villas at the north eastern end of the property in an original property map below.

All of the Treehouse Villas were closed in 2001 after 9/11, with an undetermined future as a reopening date was never set. Although given a valiant effort, Disney in late 2002 finally determined that the "educational vacation" was just not appealing to visitors and closed the Disney Institute permanently. The Disney Institute land was to be turned over to the Disney Vacation Club for construction of Saratoga Springs, a new vacation ownership property which opened its first phase in 2004.

The Treehouses, however, remain closed. Why For? The Treehouse Villas, as they currently exist, don't fit architecturally in the theme of Saratoga Springs and would require extensive renovation in order to make them inhabitable again. In addition, the freestanding construction of each unit dramatically increases maintenance and housekeeping costs.

Disney would ultimately like to tear down the Treehouses and replace them with another phase of Saratoga Springs, but they can't. The Warren S. Henderson Wetlands Protection Act of 1984 prohibits most new construction in any area designated as wetlands. The Treehouse Villas property, located as it is on the shore of the river, falls under this Wetlands Protection Act, which means that new construction on the scale desired by Disney would not be allowed.

However, because the Treehouses existed before the passage of the act, they are "grandfathered" in and may remain as they are currently constructed. They can be maintained under strict guidelines, and can be improved or renovated under even more strict guidelines, and therein lies the problem for Disney. Do they renovate and reopen the Treehouses as an ill-fitting and maintenance intensive part of Saratoga Springs, do they tear down the Treehouses and not re-use the land, or do they just leave the Treehouses as-is until a better plan can be devised?

As anyone who has taken the Sassagoula River Cruise or the water taxi from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney knows, option number 3 seems to be the choice for now. The Treehouse Villas are still visible from the boat, and most captains will gladly discuss the history and future of the Treehouses if asked.

Most of the Treehouses are empty, although some are used for storage. Disney, in an attempt to maintain a good image for the property, has connected lighting in the Treehouses to timers so that lights are on at night to prevent the appearance of abandonment.

This strategy was working well until last fall. As most of you know, the area was pounded by three powerful hurricanes. The Treehouse Villas suffered severe damage from water and fallen trees, most of which was clearly visible from the water taxis.

Disney wanted to clean up the damage with the same speed and efficiency with which the rest of the hurricane damage on property was handled. However, a long, intensive governmental permitting process had to be commenced in order to fix the damage within the confines of the Wetlands Protection Act. Permission was finally given earlier this summer for Disney to repair the storm damage. The fallen trees have been removed, the damaged roofs have been repaired, and a couple of the decks that were destroyed have been rebuilt.

So what's the future of the Treehouse Villas? Disney has begun the long permitting process required to renovate the property. Current speculation has Disney renovating the Treehouses from the inside out and reopening them at a future date as a part of Saratoga Springs.

Our guess is that, assuming the necessary permits can be secured, that the Treehouses will reopen when they can be accessed from Saratoga Springs without having to travel through any of the current construction areas.

We hope they do. The Treehouse Villas are a unique experience at Walt Disney World, and were a fun place to stay. As they existed previously they were a fairly reasonably priced lodging that would accommodate up to 6 people. They were secluded and private, and the wooded, rustic setting was a welcome change.

 

[peter11435]

Im not saying your infomation is not accurate. All I am saying is don't place too much credibility on information you get from CM's.

 

[DoxaRich]

In May of 2004, while staying at OKW, DW and I decided to walk to DTD. Being the master navigator that I am, we ended up in the TreeHouse Villas compound. We decided to explore a little and came across a resort pool that was virtually brand new. The pool water was crystal clear, clean deck chairs and tables with umbrellas all set up and beautifully landscaped. The only think missing was the sound of "MARCO" .... "POLO".....

There happened to be a CM there spraying the ground with something so we asked "WHAZZZZZUP ??" He didn't have a lot to offer other then that a few of the Villas had been renovated and some college program CM's were staying in them. When we asked specifically about the pool he just shrugged and didn't offer any answers.

 

[Belle Amy]

Just a few weeks ago, during the water shuttle from Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney, my fiance and I had a great driver who spouted random information about all the sights on the way to and from Downtown...my fiance and I had just been discussing what seemed to be stilted apartments, when the driver told us about the Treehouse Villas and what they had previously been used for. He also said they were being refurbished (which we could see because there were lights on in the properties and what seemed to be ladders and paint) and were going to be used for College Interns.

Then again, he said he had only been working as the water shuttle driver for a few weeks, so I don't know how reliable a source he was....but he seemed to have a wealth of information!!

Hope this helps!!!



Getting married to my prince charming at Disney in 2007!!

 

[DC7800]

I'm not sure what they are going to do with them but they can not change them in any way if they want o continue using them as villas as they are now considered to be on wetlands or something of that sort. They were grandfathered in so they can still be used as villas but if they are torn down nothing can be rebuilt in their place. This came from one of the captains for the POR to DTD in either 2001 or 2004.

Basically this same story has been reported on this board several times at least, so there probably is some truth behind it. CM's are not always better informed than the average Disboards member (though that in no way reflects on the excellent job they do), but neither can you always discount their observations. After all, they are there every day, and see and hear things happening (or not).

We do know the Treehouses have been closed for several years, along with most of the rest of the Villas before their demise. We also know this followed a downturn in business after Disney overbuilt reosrt hotel rooms on property, and the end of the Disney Institute (resort rooms - such as Port Orleans - were also closed).

Prior to Saratoga Springs opening, there were comments (again, on this board) toward linking the Treehouses with another resort (Old key West, presumably), or later Saratoga Springs. If it actually took so long just to get clearance to repair storm damage, this could well explain the slow pace of reopening these accomodations. But that's just speculation, of course.

 

[krbq]

Thank you for including that article, Chess! DH is intensely interested in what might happen to the Treehouses and I know he'll enjoy reading it.

 

[TSR6]

They are going to being used for another college intern property. This comes directly from WDW College and International Programs.

 

[DC7800]

They are going to being used for another college intern property. This comes directly from WDW College and International Programs.

Were the Fairway Villas being also used for this purpose, or has the Saratoga Springs development moved into that area?

I am way, way overdue for this years vacation, so I haven't seen the place recently...

 

[jezebella]

Wow, thanks for all the info. I just never got around to asking my dad. He seems to know everything that's going on. It just makes me sad when I drive past it all the time. I never got to stay there.

 

[TSR6]

I do not know about the other stuff, just that the Treehouse Villas are going to be used for CP's.

 

[DoxaRich]

The Fairway Villas are being torn down ( if they're not gone already ) for phase 3 of SSR.

 

[mickeyfantroy]

I also heard the college intern rumour while I was there a couple weeks back.

 

[daannzzz]

I am not disputing that what they are saying is untrue but it seems odd that there is some governmental act that prohibits them from utilizing their own land. POR and POFQ are situated along a "river" and that area is extensively developed. I was under the impression that Disney could do pretty much what they wanted on their land.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I am not disputing that what they are saying is untrue but it seems odd that there is some governmental act that prohibits them from utilizing their own land.

You are kidding about this aren't you? There are lots of "governmental acts" across America that regulates what private landowners can and cannot do with their land. No surprise to me at all that designated wetlands are highly regulated in Florida.

 

[doombuggy]

And we all know that frontline CM are the authority on Disney information. In case you didn't already know CM are not good sources of information. They are not told anything that the general public isn't told at the same time. Most things such as this are intercast member rumors that spread like wildfire

peter11435, I find your comment extremely offensive. I can give you plenty of accurate information about Disney, being that I have worked for the company for over 9 years. Feel free to come in my shop this weekend and ask me when the fireworks are, where can you catch the bus, etc. But make a rude comment like that to me.....don't even think about it.

I am not disputing that what they are saying is untrue but it seems odd that there is some governmental act that prohibits them from utilizing their own land.

daannzz, I would have thought so too, until I tried to buy a piece of property here in the Orlando area that turned out to have a bit of wetlands on it. The process to get a permit to build would be a long battle with the EPA, and frankly I don't have the money. I ws heart broken, as I was so set to build my own home on that land. There is plant life that is apparently protected on that lot that I was trying to buy, etc... There was also a flood plane there (50 or 100 years, I can't remember), but that doesn't bring a warm and fuzzy feeling either. Some areas around he flood so easily, it makes you wonder why people build there.

Just my thoughts form my recent experience with the joys of trying to purchase land.